The achievements of staff across Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service have been recognised through employee awards

At the first in-person Awards Ceremony since 2019, owing to restrictions in place during Covid 19, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service came together on Friday evening (21 October) to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams across Norfolk over the past year.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environmental Services, said: "The past year has shown the full breadth of work our Fire Service does, from their role in the Covid recovery and supporting our NHS partners to the incredible response to the wildfires over the summer.

"The level of professionalism and dedication across the service meant there was tough competition in every category, so congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone in the service who go to such remarkable lengths to keep Norfolk safe." As well as honouring staff with long service awards which are presented by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, categories also included fundraiser of the year, making a difference awards and leadership accolades. The ceremony also honoured five recipients of Chief Fire Officer Commendations, which had previously been presented to those who had shown outstanding bravery in their duties. Alongside the category awards, 18 Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were awarded to members of the service as well as 23 Outstanding Service Certificates.

Awards presented

Chief Fire Officer Commendations

Presented to individuals and teams to recognise heroic, brave and or courageous actions:

• Charlotte Pepper and Lisa Barrett - For their quick thinking and heroic actions in extracting an individual at a residential house fire on 27 January 2022 at Congham in West Norfolk
• Carrow, Earlham and Sprowston Red Watch crews, under Station Manager Matt Postle and Group Manager Richard Smith - For their actions, courage and determination at an incident on 27 April 2022 which resulted in the saving of a life at a person in crisis incident on Norwich Southern Bypass
• Watch Manager Sam Molyneux and Firefighter James Hoddy, of Massingham Station - For their heroic actions and quick thinking upon discovering a serious Road Traffic Collision on 22 May 2022 at Massingham in West Norfolk
• Sonny Garrett, Petroleum officer of Carrow Fire Station - In recognition of 50 Years of Impeccable and Dedicated Support to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
• Spencer Holt and Connor Brand - For their quick thinking and action upon discovering a fire at a residential property on 21 June 2022

Inspirational Leader Award

An individual in the organisation who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities which have had a positive effect on individuals, teams, and NFRS:

• Mark Bocking - Watch Manager, King's Lynn White Watch
• Tim Harper-Allison - Water Department
• Stuart Shinn - Watch Manager, King's Lynn Blue Watch

Cadet of the Year

A member of the volunteer fire cadet scheme who has demonstrated outstanding effort or improvement during the past year:

• Jason Walmsley - Hunstanton Cadet Unit, who has demonstrated continuous improvement whilst attending the cadet scheme. His confidence has grown, and he continues to build on the personal qualities and attributes required of a Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Cadet while also attending most of the extra events to support the unit, including a local event for recruiting additional Cadets. This is something that Jason initiated himself and the Service has received positive feedback from his efforts

On-call Employer of the Year

In recognition of the support that is given by the employer of an on-call firefighter in releasing staff to attend NFRS duties:

• Bomfords Group - Harleston
• Heygates Mill - Downham Market
• Midwich Ltd - Diss

Making a Difference Award 

Recognises teams and individuals who have made a positive impact to the communities of Norfolk, the service or the teams they work with to a standard that exceeds the expectations of their role in the organisation

Individual Awards:

• John Baker (retired August 2022)
• Claire Boer - Service Admin support staff
• Lewis Freeman - Executive Support Officer

Team Award:

• NFRS Aid to Ukraine team - supporting and delivering aid to Ukraine in 2022

Fundraiser of the Year

Presented to an individual or team who have made an outstanding effort to raise money for the Firefighters charity or another charity over a sustained period of time:

• Dean Lacey - Station Manager, King's Lynn Station

Volunteer of the Year

An individual or team who have provided support, time, or services to NFRS free of charge over a sustained period of time:

• Norfolk Fire Museum Volunteers

Team Achievement Award

A team in the organisation who have achieved a task or goal which has benefited the communities of Norfolk or NFRS:

• Fakenham Fire Station
• Fire Control Staff
• Operational Support Team

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1954, awarded to those with 20 years' service with good conduct:

• Julie Church - Service Control Room
• Jamie Farr - Kings Lynn Station
• Wayne Frary - Sprowston Station
• Chris Gravelling- Operations, Eastern Area
• Robert Hamilton - King's Lynn Station
• Billy Handel - Dereham Station
• Jeremy Harrison - Aylsham Station
• Richard Hooker- Great Yarmouth Station
• Ben Human - West Walton Station
• Glyn Law - Downham Market Station
• Tim Love - Cromer Station
• Barry Mallindine - Dereham Station
• Daniel Manning - Methwold Station
• Andy Nash - Sprowston Station
• Neil Partridge - Aylesham Station
• Jeremy Punchard - Service Control Room
• Andrew Thomas - Thetford Station
• Spencer Whalley - Mundesley Station

20 Year Outstanding Service Certificate

• John Curtis - School Crossing Patrol
• Cheryl Jenner - School Crossing Patrol
• Melanie Mathews - School Crossing Patrol
• Linda Plane - School Crossing Patrol
• Kevin Sherman - School Crossing Patrol

30 Year Outstanding Service Certificate

• Steve Bartram - Training Centre
• David Cooper - Cromer Station
• Mike Draper - Wymondham Station
• Simon Golby - Harleston Station
• John Linden - Operations, Western Area
• Roger McDowall - Reepham Station
• Gavin McKee - Training Centre and Wroxham Station
• Peter Oxford - Downham Market Station
• Johnathan Rayner - Aylsham Station
• Jason Reed - Fakenham Station
• Paul Seaman - Service Leadership Team

35 Year Outstanding Service Certificate

• Glen Roskilly - Dereham and Wymondham Stations

40 Year Outstanding Service Certificate

• Grant Cotterell - Operations, Eastern Area
• Martin Finnie - Great Yarmouth Station
• Jimmy Groom - Heacham Station
• Ray Harcourt - Training Centre
• Steve Woodgate - Hethersett Station
• Margaret Reader - School Crossing Patrol

Please note: some recipients of long service awards qualified for the award earlier in 2022 and have since left or retired from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service but were still honoured at the Awards Ceremony.

The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Awards ceremony for 2022 was generously sponsored by Glenn Floyd of the Norfolk Safety CIC, and Shell UK.